Back on the morning of December 8, Golden State Warriors general manager Larry Riley was darn-near giddy. Already possessing a roster with two top perimeter threats—Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry—Riley had been trolling for more than a year in search of a quality center who could play some defense, score a few points and, most importantly, grab rebounds. Financially, Riley had free reign from owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, and he had gone after the top prize on the market, Tyson Chandler. Around the league, Chandler-to-the-Warriors was considered a done deal.

Then, of course, the New York Knicks slipped in, pulled a surprise move by exercising their amnesty cut on Chauncey Billups and nailed down Chandler with a four-year contract. The Warriors, reeling, made a desperation offer to DeAndre Jordan that they knew would be matched by the Los Angeles Clippers. At long last, they settled on Kwame Brown, who tore a pectoral muscle less than a month later and has a total of 57 points and 57 rebounds in nine games.

And so the hunt continues.

Last month, when the New Orleans Hornets put center Chris Kaman on the trading block, the Warriors had conversations with New Orleans about a deal. Sources said that the Hornets wanted Ellis in return for Kaman, but there was no way the Warriors were going to do that. Kaman is a free agent this summer, and the Warriors well know they could simply sign him after the season without giving up anything.

So what would the Warriors give up? A source said the Hornets would want Ekpe Udoh, but Golden State is not ready to part with the player it selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2010 draft. If the Hornets want to pull some kind of young asset for Kaman from the Warriors, they could have to settle for a package built around rookie Klay Thompson.

The Hornets would like frontcourt help, though.

Of course, the Warriors would be willing to offer up a better package if it yielded them Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut, who has been out since January 26 with an ankle injury. While CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger originally reported that the Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic have discussed a three-way deal that would send Ellis and Milwaukee’s Stephen Jackson to Orlando, with the Warriors getting Bogut, Berger now reports via Twitter that Lacob won't send Ellis to Orlando and help the Magic keep Howard. Lacob is holding out hope that the Warriors can get Howard themselves. It was not clear who the Bucks would have received under that scenario.

The Warriors do feel a sudden need for help in the middle, though, having moved themselves back into playoff position thanks, in part, to slumps by Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Kaman a wanted man

Golden State is not the only team interested in Kaman. The Boston Celtics have also inquired, as have the Miami Heat and Rockets. To this point, the Hornets have asked far too much for Kaman, and there is lingering concern about dealing with the Hornets, who are still owned by the league.

New Orleans has put out word that it’s not all that interested in trading Kaman and is considering signing him to an extension. Consider that a smoke screen, though—the Hornets aren’t counting on Kaman as part of their future, and want to create as much leverage as possible when it comes to the big man.

Clippers careful with Bledsoe

The Clippers remain one of the more active teams heading into Thursday’s trading deadline, as they continue to attempt to fill the void left by Chauncey Billups’ injury. Billups’ absence has put the Clippers in a tough position. Their only viable trade chip is Eric Bledsoe, who has played just 15 games this year and is averaging 1.6 points. But the Clippers feel they can develop Bledsoe into a starting-quality point guard, which would be important should Chris Paul leave as a free agent in 2013. Bledsoe is their insurance policy.

At the same time, if the Clippers trade Bledsoe for a player who can help them now, they can boost their playoff chances and perhaps convince Paul to stay long-term. Still, the fear of trading Bledsoe, getting a player who won’t help them much and losing Paul to boot is causing the Clippers some trepidation.